Gas prices in Southern California reversed course to drop again after a couple of weeks of ticking upward in most areas, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.62, which is nine cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.08, which is one cent lower than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.67 per gallon, which is nine cents lower than last week, 16 cents lower than last month, and 17 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.70, which is eight cents less than last week, 16 cents lower than last month, and 16 cents more than this time last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.68, which is six cents lower than last week, 17 cents lower than last month, and 19 cents more than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.51, which is ten cents lower than last week, 15 cents lower than last month and 14 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.71 average price is seven cents lower than last week, 18 cents lower than last month, and 21 cents higher than a year ago today.
“California wholesale gas prices dropped significantly last week, indicating that demand may be lower than anticipated,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Typically in January, Southern California drivers don’t see too many significant pump price declines, and it remains to be seen how long it lasts. There are a few Southern California gas stations today charging less than $3.90 a gallon for regular unleaded.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Jan. 11, averages are: